Seduced by a Stallion

This Cowboy Plays For Keeps

Wealthy Texas scion Matthew Stallion is the playboy of the Western world. In the courtroom, he’s unbeatable. On a horse, he’s unstoppable. And in bed...he’s irresistible. But it may be time for the second eldest Stallion son to hang up his Stetson when he clashes with single mother Katrina Broomes. The widowed judge is the epitome of judicial calm and old-fashioned tradition. Until Matthew unleashes her wild passion.

The charismatic, eye-catchingly gorgeous attorney is six feet plus of potent masculinity. Katrina doesn’t stand a chance against Matthew’s sensual onslaught. From the chic boulevards of Paris to the sprawling Stallion family ranch, she’s getting a lesson in seduction—Texan style. Because when it comes to love out West…the sky’s the limit!

“Are you an art collector, Matthew?”

“I’ve acquired a few pieces. I like beautiful things,” he answered. His gaze met hers and held it, the words feeling like a sweet caress against her ears.

Katrina blinked, shifting away from the emotion rising between them. “Everything is so massive,” she noted as her gaze wafted from one work of art to another.

“That’s how we do things here in Texas, ma’am,” Matthew said, exaggerating his deep Southern drawl. “We breed everything big down here!”

She laughed, her head waving from side to side. “You are so not funny,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. The sensation was electric, causing Katrina to gasp loudly. “That’s why you laughed.” Matthew grinned. “Are you ready for dinner, Judge Broomes?”

“Is that going to be big, too?”

Matthew took a step toward her, moving his body near to hers. Katrina felt herself holding her breath at the nearness of him. His fingers gently caressed the length of her arm as he spoke.

“I hope it will exceed your expectations,” Matthew said, his gentle tone soothing. “I’m hoping this whole evening is going to be an event like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. If that takes big, then I assure you it will be the biggest meal you will ever have.”

Easing her gaze up to meet his, Katrina suddenly wanted to kiss the full lips smiling down at her. The heat from his body had ignited a flame deep in her midsection and she suddenly felt like she might combust from the intensity of it. She fought the sensation.

Her voice was barely a whisper as she responded. “I’d say you’re off to a good start,” she said softly.

DEBORAH FLETCHER MELLO

Writing since she was thirteen years old, Deborah Fletcher Mello can’t imagine herself doing anything else. Her first romance novel, Take Me To Heart, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2005, she received Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel The Right Side of Love, and in 2009 won an RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for her ninth novel Tame a Wild Stallion. Most recently, Deborah’s eleventh novel, Promises to a Stallion, has earned her a 2011 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Hero Of The Year.

For Deborah, writing is as necessary as breathing, and she firmly believes that if she could not write, she would cease to exist. Weaving a story that leaves her audience feeling full and complete, as if they’ve just enjoyed an incredible meal, is an ultimate thrill for her. Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah now maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.

Seduced by a Stallion

Deborah Fletcher Mello

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Dear Reader,

It seems like it took forever, but the Stallion men are finally back! Those billionaire brothers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Stallion are back and they are bigger and better than ever with brother Matthew’s story. A definite Stallion stud, Matthew does not disappoint as he meets his match in district court judge Katrina Broomes.

I absolutely loved writing Matthew’s story. With each brother’s unique personality, conservative attorney Matthew brought a whole new dynamic to the table with everyone dying to know if he fathered family friend Vanessa Long’s baby. Is Matthew the father of Vanessa’s baby? Does Vanessa bring the baby-mama drama into Matthew and Katrina’s relationship?

Seduced By a Stallion answers those questions and opens the doors to much, much more to come. It was so much fun to write and I know you won’t be disappointed!

As always I have to thank each of you for taking this amazing journey with me. None of this would be possible if it were not for your support. Your words of encouragement, your critiques and your criticisms continue to keep me writing and always motivate me to write well.

I always love to hear what you think so please, please, please contact me at DeborahMello@aol.com.

Until the next time, take care and God bless.

With much love,

Deborah Fletcher Mello

www.DeborahMello.blogspot.com

To my grandmother, Mrs. Susie M. Cole,

Your spirit continues to amaze and delight.

You are my inspiration and I love you beyond words.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 1

Chaos reigned at the Dallas County courthouse. Loud whispers echoed from one end of each hallowed hall to the other. Matthew Stallion avoided the crowds and entered the building through the employee entrance, a privilege afforded him by his Harvard law degree. Although he hadn’t practiced criminal law since the year after he passed the state’s bar exam, he had spent much time in the courthouse navigating civil suits for his family’s business. Stallion Enterprises, which had been his older brother John’s brainchild, was a successful corporate empire built on commercial real estate and development, as well as a shipping company with numerous entertainment interests.

As the door locked securely behind him, he pulled at the lapels of his business suit, adjusting the silk jacket neatly against his solid frame. The charcoal-gray against the bright white dress shirt and his raspberry-colored tie flattered his mahogany complexion nicely.

Sticking his head into the county clerk’s office, he greeted the two women bustling around inside, the duo getting ready for what was already proving to be a very busy day in the Dallas judicial system.

“Good morning, ladies,” Matthew said with a wide grin.

Mrs. Nettie Banks grinned back. “Good morning, Counselor. How are you faring this beautiful morning?”

“No complaints,” Matthew answered.

The other woman, Mrs. Maxine Bright, nodded. “No one listens when you do complain, baby.” She chuckled softly, shifting a folder of paperwork from one desk to another.

“What brings you here this morning, Mr. Stallion?” Mrs. Banks asked, a look of confusion crossing her face. “I don’t remember seeing that you had filed for anything recently.”

“I didn’t. I was subpoenaed to family court and thought I’d take a minute to come say hello to you two lovely ladies.”

Both women eyed him suspiciously.

Matthew laughed warmly, lifting both his hands up as if in surrender. “I swear,” he said with a deep chuckle. “I didn’t do anything. Some kid stole my car. I don’t even know why it’s in family court and not over in the criminal building.”

Mrs. Bright shook her head, laughing with him. “You had us worried for a hot minute there, Attorney Stallion.”

Mrs. Banks nodded. “A hot minute,” she echoed as she flipped through a clipped stack of papers. “There you are. You’re seeing Judge Tyler this morning.” She continued to browse through her notes, her expression stern. “This is that case with Judge Broomes’s son. That’s probably why they moved it to family. He’s one of ours.”

Matthew nodded, his curiosity suddenly raised. “Who’s Judge Broomes?”

“Judge Katrina Broomes. The governor appointed her to replace the late Judge Harris. She hasn’t been with us long,” Mrs. Bright responded.

“Katrina? So, Judge Broomes is a woman?”

“We do have female judges, Counselor,” Mrs. Bright said, her hands dropping to her full hips.

“Yes, ma’am, I know. I was just asking,” he said with a soft chuckle.

The woman tossed him a warm smile, gesturing toward the large clock on the wall behind her. “Well, you better head on up. Judge Tyler doesn’t take kindly to court starting late.”

“Thank you, ladies. You two have a good day now,” Matthew replied, tossing them both a wink of his eye.

As he walked out the door, the two women stared after him, both admiring the sway of his fit physique. When the door was closed securely behind him, Mrs. Banks shook her gray head from side to side. “Mmm, mmm, mmm. If I was twenty years younger,” she said with a soft giggle.

“Honey, hush yo’ mouth!” Mrs. Bright giggled with her. “Just hush yo’ mouth!”

* * *

Matthew shook hands with the state prosecutor, a short, balding man with a bad comb-over of bright red hair. “Ed, good morning! How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well, sir. It’s good to see you again. You were subpoenaed today, weren’t you?”

“Yes, the State versus Collin Broomes. Kid stole my car.”

“We’re actually going to try to mediate that one. The boy is a judge’s son. First offense, good family, ready to admit guilt. We’re hoping to keep him out of the system and put him back on the right track. That is, of course, if you’re amenable.”

Matthew nodded. “Everything’s negotiable, Ed.”

“Good. Once the judge calls the court to order, I’ll ask that you all be referred to the family mediator and I’ll get you out as quickly as I can.”

“Thank you,” Matthew said, moving to take the seat directly behind the prosecutor.

He looked around the room. The crowd gathering was a hodgepodge of personalities, people from all social and economic walks of life. He couldn’t begin to identify which of the sons sitting beside his mother was the son who had taken his Mercedes and had crashed it into the center median on Interstate 35. He couldn’t, because there were far too many young boys sitting in that courtroom, waiting for their cases to be heard. The absurdity of that fact weighed heavily on his spirit. Matthew heaved a deep sigh.

Minutes later, with court officially in session, the court officer called the young man’s name. “The State of Texas versus Collin Broomes!”

Matthew looked up just as young Collin walked to the front of the courtroom, his attorney leading the way. The lanky teenager stood in the vicinity of six feet tall. His oversize stature belied his baby face, and it was obvious that he wasn’t quite comfortable with his height, that his maturation had not yet caught up with his size. He was neatly groomed, with a fresh haircut, khaki slacks, a navy blue polo shirt and leather loafers. With the exception of his hunched shoulders and the hands pushed deep into the pockets of his slacks, he didn’t seem to fit in with the other young boys, with their baggy pants, T-shirts and overpriced sports shoes.

Matthew looked around for a parent but saw no one that resembled the child, nor anyone that looked ready to claim him. His thoughts were interrupted as Judge Tyler called his name.

“Attorney Stallion, are you in agreement with the State that this case would be better served with mediation?”

Matthew came to his feet, buttoning his suit jacket as he approached the bench. “I am, Your Honor. But under the circumstances, if the court permits, I would appreciate the opportunity to participate in those negotiations.”

The judge nodded. “Not a problem, Counselor. The court will hold this case pending the outcome of mediation.”

The young man met Matthew’s eyes and stared. For most of the proceedings he’d looked disinterested. The judge calling Matthew’s name had caught Collin’s attention and he eyed Matthew curiously. When his attorney finally gestured with his head for Collin to follow, the boy did so, but not before looking back over his shoulder for one last look at the imposing black man.

Chapter 2

Katrina Broomes stood with her arms folded over her chest. Her right foot, sheathed in a patent-leather pump, tapped anxiously at the tiled floor. Every fiber of her body was annoyed. Katrina was still perturbed that, instead of being home on her one day off from work, she was pacing the hallway of family court, waiting for the disposition of her fifteen-year-old son’s criminal case.

She blew a heavy sigh, warm breath pushing past her thin lips. She still couldn’t believe that any child of hers was actually facing criminal charges. It was difficult to fathom that stupidity had seeped into her son’s pores and had laid claim to his brain. This was not how she had raised her only child, a youngster intent on taxing her last good nerve with every foolish antic he could muster up.

She began to pace again, gliding from one end of the narrow hallway to the other. She’d been a single parent since forever, raising her baby boy by her lonesome. Her husband, Colonel Jackson Broomes, an army helicopter pilot, had been killed during the Gulf War. The day that he’d been deployed to active duty, she’d promised him that she would do whatever it took to ensure the safety and security of his family. She’d assured him that he wouldn’t have to worry about his son, or her, while he was gone. She was still keeping that promise, still committed to doing whatever it took to keep her baby boy safe and sound, the way his father would have wanted.

Now her baby boy was a burgeoning young man, fast approaching adulthood, and keeping him safe was proving to be quite the challenge. When the boy was born, he’d come fighting his way into the world, kicking and screaming. Drawn to drama and commotion, Collin still hadn’t learned how to settle down and relax in his own silence.

She turned abruptly when she heard her name being called.

“Thank you for waiting, Judge Broomes,” the overpriced attorney she’d hired said, moving to her side. “We’re meeting upstairs. The mediator has already gone ahead. Judge Tyler has given permission for the victim to participate in the negotiations, as well.”

Katrina raised an eyebrow. “For what reason?”

“You may have heard of him. Matthew Stallion is a licensed attorney practicing law here in Dallas. He also heads the Briscoe Ranch Mentoring Foundation, which works with at-risk youth. He has a vested interest in seeing young men turn their lives around for the good. I think it would be to Collin’s benefit to have him present, which is why I asked for his participation.”

Katrina nodded. Matthew Stallion’s reputation had definitely preceded him. Knowing that her first encounter with the man would not be under the best of circumstances further soured her mood. She blew a deep sigh. “That’s fine.” She caught her son’s eye and shook her head, her annoyance registered all over her face.

Collin rolled his eyes skyward, knowing better than to say anything at all. The two followed behind their attorney as he headed in the direction of the elevator and the mediation rooms on the upper level of the courthouse.

Matthew and the state-appointed mediator, a young woman with crystal-blue eyes, a luxurious mane of blond hair and a wide smile, stood in conversation when they entered the room. The woman was giggling softly at something Matthew had just said, a full blush painting her pale complexion. Matthew was leaning in close, just a hair away from being too close, as he held the woman’s full attention. As the trio stepped into the space, the woman jumped as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Clearly flustered by the male attention she’d been enjoying, the woman fought to gather her composure. She smiled politely as she gestured for them all to come in and find a seat, a manicured hand extended in greeting.

Behind her, Matthew Stallion pulled himself up to attention, securing his suit jacket around his frame. His dark eyes skated across the room, dancing over the other attorney and his client as they stared back with interest. Matthew’s gaze was suddenly drawn to the exquisite woman who’d entered the room last. There was no mistaking the familial similarities between her and young Mr. Broomes. The boy had his mother’s eyes, large dark orbs with forest-thick lashes that curled effortlessly. Energy vibrated from her stare as their gazes met and held. A smile pulled at Matthew’s full lips, his expression showing much more than the fact that he was intrigued.

From where she stood at the entrance to the room, Katrina couldn’t help but notice the handsome black man. She instinctively knew who he was, Matthew Stallion, the victim, the man whose car her son had stolen for a joyride. Matthew Stallion, of the prestigious Stallion family. He was a man of great wealth, was highly respected in the community and was considered one of Dallas’s more eligible bachelors.

She found herself held hostage by the intense look that he was giving her, his eyes still locked with hers. Everyone else in the room seemed to vanish as the man stepped toward her, his engaging smile drawing her in like a spider might lure dinner into its web.

He extended his hand. “Good morning. I’m Matthew Stallion. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, the deep bass in his tone reverberating warmly.

Katrina took a deep breath, air catching in her chest as his hand grazed hers, his firm grip holding tightly to her fingers. She tilted her head in greeting, words failing her. The other attorney came to her rescue without even realizing it.

“Counselor, this is Judge Katrina Broomes. Judge Broomes serves the Two Hundred Thirty-Second District Criminal Court. And this young man is Judge Broomes’s son, Collin.”

Matthew was still holding tight to Katrina’s hand. Her son tossed him an uneasy smile, his hands still pushed deep into his pockets. With some reluctance, Matthew released Katrina’s hand and extended his handshake to her child.

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting the young man who jacked my car,” Matthew said, humor in his gaze. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Collin’s uneasy smile folded into a deep frown as he returned Matthew’s handshake with much reluctance. “I’m very sorry,” he managed to mutter softly.

Matthew nodded his head slowly, his gaze shifting from Collin to his mother and back again. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the desktop. “Where did you learn to pop a door lock and hot-wire a car?”

Collin’s eyes flitted to his mother’s questioning expression, then back to the man who was studying him intently. “My friend Paul’s older brother.”

Matthew nodded again. “We need to work on getting you better friends,” he said with a soft chuckle.

The boy suddenly looked scared.

Concern registered in Matthew’s expression as a consoling smile filled his face. He tossed an arm around the boy’s shoulder, patting him on his back. “I promise, you won’t suffer much,” Matthew said teasingly, winking his eye. His smile widened. “Why don’t we all take a seat and see how we might fix this mess?” he said.

Following his lead, Katrina took a seat at the far end of the table. Matthew, quite the gentleman, pulled out her chair for her. She sat back, falling into silence as she stared from her son to Matthew and to the people around the table, trying to make sense of her child’s actions. Her gaze kept returning to Matthew Stallion as he engaged her son in conversation, asking question after question about his life and his goals. Every so often Matthew would look in her direction, tossing her an easy smile before returning his focus to the matter at hand.

Katrina heaved a deep sigh, then inhaled deeply, holding tight to the warm air to calm her nerves. It was a good thing she was there only to observe, she suddenly mused. Katrina was unnerved by her reaction to the beautiful man who’d taken full control of the meeting. Unnerved because not since her late husband had any man had her quivering so unabashedly.

Chapter 3

Matthew engaged the voice-activation system in his car to dial his office. Traffic was backed up from Avery Avenue to Zang Boulevard. He strummed his fingers anxiously against the steering wheel of his new car as he waited for the cellular service to connect the call.

Mediation had lasted well over two hours. After their initial interaction, Collin Broomes hadn’t been much interested in talking, falling into a sullen silence for the balance of the session. His attorney and the mediator had both been diligent about hashing out a game plan for the young man’s future. But Matthew had been the only one to actually ask the boy his opinion, genuinely interested in what Collin might want for himself.

He’d hardly been surprised when Collin gave him little to nothing, his responses amounting to single-syllable answers. His mother had spoken only once during the entire discussion, reprimanding her son and advising him to check his tone when he became insolent. The boy had reeked of attitude, had a massive chip resting square on his shoulder. Her tone had been firm, the look she’d given her son stern. The boy had instantly stopped posturing, his teenage swagger cooling considerably. Clearly, his mother was a firm disciplinarian.

Each time she’d looked at Matthew, her gaze had lingered longer than necessary. Her look had softened considerably as she’d studied him with keen interest. Her eyes were beautiful, Matthew suddenly mused, remembering the glazed stare.

Matthew liked how Katrina Broomes had looked at him. He liked the energy that had pierced his own stare. Never had any woman looked at him like that before. Most women Matthew knew were always eyeing him like he was bait on a hook. But then, maybe that had much to do with him always trolling for his next catch of the moment.

On the other hand, Katrina had looked at him as if she actually saw something in him that he himself hadn’t yet discovered. And she’d looked at him as though she liked what that was. Her interest had been keen and had piqued his. Now he found himself hoping that he might get to know the woman better.

Toward that goal he’d been eager to volunteer to personally mentor young Collin. The boy’s eyebrows had risen in surprise but Matthew had been adamant. Consequently, starting in two weeks, the two would be meeting at the Briscoe Ranch Youth Center, where Matthew would put the child through his paces.

Matthew’s thoughts were interrupted by the phone line being answered on the other end, his secretary’s voice greeting him cheerfully.